After months of sitting at home and with saving rates hitting near all-time highs, consumers are starting to unleash their pent-up spending demand across a wide range of categories. And this return to retail presents a major opportunity for the independent channel.

One room in consumers’ homes that’s been heavily taxed during this coronavirus pandemic has been the living room — otherwise known as the media room, home theater room or central entertainment hub. With that in mind, Nationwide Marketing Group recently announced three new vendor partnerships that will give dealers an opportunity to capitalize on those entertainment-based upgrades.

Austere burst onto the scene last summer, led by consumer tech industry veteran Deena Ghazarian, and redefined the technology accessories category. From its sleek packaging to luxurious product designs, Austere offers a fresh and appealing take on the world of home theater cables and other power accessories.

“At Austere, we’re equally passionate about performance and style, and believe there’s a tremendous need in the accessories market for accessible products where these ideologies intersect,” Ghazarian says. “That’s why we’ve created Austere, from the packaging to the in-store displays to the products themselves, with intentional design and minimalistic style that deliver spectacular performance.”

An established leader in the wireless audio category and manufacturer of immersive audio system for home entertainment environments, Enclave Audio has perfected the concept of “home theater in a box.” Enclave’s CineHome systems are WiSA-certified and leverage cutting-edge wireless audio technology and connectivity to support full 5.1-channel surround sound without the hassle that comes with excess cabling or speaker wire. Enclave’s CineHome systems pair and sync automatically to deliver a high-definition audio experience across a 360-degree field of true wireless surround sound.

“Enclave Audio is thrilled to officially join forces with Nationwide Marketing Group to help deliver true wireless 5.1 surround sound solutions to their phenomenal dealers throughout the United States,” says Paul Burgess, executive vice president of sales for Enclave Audio. “The revolutionary Enclave technology found within the CineHome systems, combined with the expertise that Nationwide Marketing Group dealers are known for, is the perfect match. The partnership enables dealers to provide their customers with an exceptional surround sound experience with a simple setup. With this partnership in place, Enclave will service dealers through a combination of direct fulfillment, rep groups and distribution.”

Mounting video and audio electronics brings an added layer of sophistication and design to an entertainment space. With MantelMount, dealers will have access to a range of manual and motorized mounting brackets that make the viewing experience more comfortable and convenient.

“We offer the premier flat-screen TV mounts in the industry, both manual and automated, to create the optimal viewing experience,” says Lee Marc, MantelMount CEO. “We believe our relationship with Nationwide will allow us to convey that message much more efficiently, not only to the organization’s membership but to the wider consumer and pro channel audiences we need to reach.”

Adds Hank Alexander, director of HTSN for Nationwide, “In Austere, Enclave Audio and MantelMount, we’re looking at three strong vendor partners who’ve really stepped up to the table to offer our dealers some incredible programs. They each touch a different part of the entertainment experience, from high-end accessories and conveniently simple surround sound to classy mounting fixtures. But, together, they each contribute to an at-home entertainment narrative that has the potential to be second to none.”

All three programs are currently available to Nationwide members.